Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/727/14894
From The Socialist newspaper, 18 July 2012
Them... & Us
Record breakers
A recent survey of recruitment consultants found that the number of vacancies, both temporary and permanent, had declined at the sharpest rate in three years. It is predicted that if present trends continue then unemployment will hit 3 million soon - a figure last seen in the 1980s.
The latest figures released last month revealed that at present there are 2.61 million people unemployed, around one million of them aged 18 to 25. You'd think that the government would be concerned about the situation. That perhaps they'd tackle the problem by creating jobs and training through socially useful public works. But what would their big business mates get out of that?
Paul Callanan
Stuck at home
54% of families are cutting back on day trips this summer because of the cost - an average of £80 a day. A study by charity Family Action showed that transport, food and entry costs mean that many families will be staying at home.
Probation privatisation
The government has awarded a £37 million contract to private company Serco to supervise offenders on probation on community 'payback schemes' in London.
A spokesperson for the probation officers union, Napo, rubbished the government's decision, saying: "This marks the beginning of the privatisation and fragmentation of the probation service. The only way that Serco can achieve the savings they claim is by the reduction of the number of staff and their wages. This will mean that the level of supervision will deteriorate and the breach rate will escalate."
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In The Socialist 18 July 2012:
Socialist Party news and analysis
March and strike against austerity
Miliband and Labour - no real alternative to Con-Dems
Tories stick the boot in on care funding
Oppose the closure of the Independent Living Fund
Witch-hunting Unison leadership "shabby" declares judge
Wales NHS - Reject the Case for Cuts report
Socialist Party workplace news
Support striking Remploy workers!
RMT cleaners Trans-Pennine Express strike
Fighting against exploitation of seafarers and port workers
2012 London Olympics
Olympics: The greatest sporting, and money-making, show on earth
Olympics G4S scandal shows failure of privatisation
Bosses bank in on corporate olympics - we get austerity!
Teachers fight school privatisation
Top-up fees: £50,000 debt leads to to 50,000 less students
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Southampton: two Labour councillors vote against Labour council cuts
Bristol protests counter racist EDL
Tolpuddle festival shows fightback needed today
International socialist news and analysis
Brazil: 'Miracle' economy slows
Solidarity picket of Turkish Airlines
Reviews and comments
Review: BBC TV documentary "When I get older"
Music review: Long live the struggle by The King Blues
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